Outman Akouissi

Outman Akouissi is a School of Engineering Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow in mechanical engineering whose research is focused on translational bioelectronics, with an emphasis on minimally invasive technologies such as ingestible and wearable medical devices. As a doctoral student, Outman developed novel peripheral nerve implants for advanced neuromodulation therapies, coinvented hydrogel-based actuation and thin-film 3D microelectrode arrays for neural spheroid electrophysiology, and contributed to the development of integrated wearable systems for the restoration of biomimetic thermal sensations in the phantom hands of amputees. His postdoctoral fellowship will enable him to pursue cutting-edge research in the field of ingestible electronics, specifically a swallowable pill-like device that, once ingested, can modulate the activity of the small intestine, leveraging advanced microfabrication, innovative materials, and creative electromechanical engineering. Outman’s innovative work has the potential to revolutionize patient care, offering personalized treatments for conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract as well as the nervous system via the gut-brain axis. His ultimate goal is to develop innovative minimally invasive technologies with a focus on clinical translation and lower-cost solutions for deployment in the developing world.